Original scientific paper
The Inscription for the Salvation of Emperor Valerian from Split?
Nenad Cambi
; Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
At the Plazibat House in Split, there used to be a relief showing Lares and an inscription in the middle. Today, it is safe-kept at the Archaeological Museum in Split (cat. A 865, D 87).
The inscription reads as follows:
PRO SAL(V)TITI
VALERIANI
EVFROSYNV(s)
SERVVS VO
TVM SOLV(it)
Two more lines have been carved at the altar:
LAR(es or ibus)
AVG(usti or ustis)
The description shows that a slave under the name of Eufrosynus had made a pledge for the salvation of a person named Valerian. There is, however, a fact that indicates that this is a votum for the Emperor: votum pro salute extremely rarely refers to private persons, but it is characteristic in cases of the imperial vota. Furthermore, there were no examples found in which the non-imperial vota were directed to Augustus’s Lares. This was no usual practice, but occurred only as a pledge for salvation (protecting a life in the event of danger) and success in warfare, as well as the return from a battle (pro salute et reditu). The Emperor received vota pro salute instead of the earlier vota pro salute rei publicae; this clearly shows that protecting his life in the event of danger had been in mind. Only a live and sane Emperor can guarantee well-being to the others as well. On the other hand, only a private person offers sacrifice to the Lares. There is a probability that this Eufrosynus had been the Emperor’s slave and that he had intended the pledge for Valerian in both his functions (Emperor and Master). In the repertory of Emperors’ cognomina, Valerian is found in only one family (Valerian I, Valerian II and Saloninus, son of Gallienus). It is Valerian I, whose life was indeed in danger after the Persians had captured him in 260 (he died later, probably after 262), whom this inscription refers to.
Keywords
Antique relief; pro salute inscription; Emperor Valerian
Hrčak ID:
72672
URI
Publication date:
16.9.2011.
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